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Daniel Alfredsson hasn’t ruled out wearing a whistle when his NHL playing career is officially over.

The Senators captain didn’t shed any light on whether he’ll play again next season during a question-and-answer session with fans on the IIHF’s website, but he did talk about what he wants to do after he stops playing.

Asked by one fan if he’d like to be a head coach or an assistant, Alfredsson, 39, answered he could see himself in both roles once his career is over at some point.

But Alfredsson seemed to suggest his playing career has some life left because he’s not planning to start calling the shots as a coach in the near future.

“I think I’d be both. I don’t see myself coaching too soon,” said Alfredsson. “I think it takes even more time at the rink than it does as a player to prepare (chuckles). Right now, I don’t think I’m ready for that.

“But I like the strategic aspect of the game. I think I read the game really well. I try to talk to our coaches about things I’d like to see at times. I’m interested in how the coaches think. I like that part of it. So I think I’d be a bit of both types. I think I can also challenge guys and motivate them in different ways.”

Those comments come on the heels of Senators coach Paul MacLean saying last month that even if Alfredsson doesn’t return as a player, he’ll either be back in the front office or behind the bench as an assistant.

If Alfredsson does retire next month, he’ll likely accept a role in the Ottawa front office similar to the VP/senior advisor role Steve Yzerman had with the Detroit Red Wings before accepting the GM’s job in Tampa.

Alfredsson did rule out finishing his career in Europe.

“I will retire as a Senator. I won’t play in the Swedish league again,” he said. “There are a few reasons. Once I feel like I’m done in the NHL, I think I’m done because mentally and physically I don’t feel like I can contribute as much as I would like or motivate myself.

“You know, if you go back to the Swedish league and try to play when you’re not motivated, it’s even worse, because it’s more skating and it’s even harder. So I will retire as an Ottawa Senator.”

Alfredsson said returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 made last season enjoyable.

“Going into the season with the team we had, it was the first time I could remember that we didn’t have high expectations on ourselves,” said Alfredsson. “Being able to almost overachieve, I think everybody bought into what the coaching staff was selling. We worked extremely hard, but we also had a lot of fun doing it.

One of the most interesting queries came from a fan who wanted Alfredsson to compare teammate Erik Karlsson to Wings great Nicklas Lidstrom.

“You know, it’s tough to compare someone to Lidstrom, one of the best defencemen in the modern era. They are different players, too, in the ways they play,” said Alfredsson. “Nicklas is more of a solid guy that plays in every situation. Erik might get there, but he’s more of an offensive guy. He’s definitely improved his defensive play, but he’s more of an explosive guy that joins the rush all the time. I think Nicklas picks his spots more, and he never makes a mistake. He’s just solid, night in and night out. Erik has that potential to be a superstar, there’s no question. I also think he might almost change the way you want the defencemen to play, too, a little bit.”